Pencil Sea Urchin

The Pencil Sea Urchin is named for its thick, blunt spines that resemble pencil stubs rather than the needle-sharp spikes of most urchins. Found in the Galápagos region, these stocky echinoderms graze on algae and organic detritus across rocky reefs and crevices, typically in shallow to moderate depths. The robust spine structure makes them less vulnerable to wave surge and predation—a useful adaptation in the dynamic waters of their habitat.